Film will have Paddington director

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Reproduction

According to exclusive information from The Hollywood Reporter, a Sony closed with Paul Kingwho directed Paddington, to direct the feature film based on the doll Labub.

King will also be a producer on the film, which is still in early development and does not yet have a screenwriter. Sony is working with the Chinese retail store Pop Mart in adaptation.

King was the director of the first two feature films Paddington and was the executive producer of the third feature. He also commanded Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet.

According to information from the The Hollywood Reporter, a Sony would have secured the rights to carry the Chinese toy brand, Labubto the big screen with a film adaptation.

So far, it is not possible to know what the film will be like, as the deal was recently closed. Therefore, it is not possible to know whether the production will be live-action or animation. However, due to the toy line’s wide audience, it is very likely that it will be animation.

Created by the artist asborn in Hong Kong and based in Europe, and initially produced by How2 Work As part of a line of monster figures, Labubu gained popularity when Chinese retailer Pop Mart took over manufacturing and sales in 2019.

Pop Mart’s strategy was to sell them in “surprise boxes”, which means that buyers never know what they are getting until they open the packaging, which also drives demand.

Limited editions of artworks and auctions have seen items fetch six-figure prices. Another factor in the toy line’s success was its use as an accessory by certain celebrities, particularly Lisa, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink.